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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sterling

Colorado · 14,777 residents · 7.619 sq mi
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The short version

Sterling has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,864. Population has grown 30% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $98,400. Households here earn about 36% less than the Colorado median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 35.4
US median: 37.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,777
+30%since 2000
from 11,360 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,939 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 1,491 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
35.4
+1%since 2000
from 35.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K11K13K14K15K1990201020202024Sterling
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,864
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,337 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,651
+29%since 2000
from $15,287 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
19.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
18.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.424
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services5%
US avg: 7%
Construction4.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade3%
US avg: 10.9%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,400
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$595
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $452 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.7%
−27.7 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
41.1% rent
Vacancy rate
7.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
27.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
−1%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sterling on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.3%(9,463)
Black0.7%(83)
Hispanic / Latino14.2%(1,613)
Asian0.4%(43)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.2%(3,771)
2010
White, non-Hispanic70.5%(10,413)
Black5.8%(856)
Hispanic / Latino20.9%(3,084)
Asian0.7%(99)
Other2.1%(309)
Diversity Score56.9%(8,402)
Diversity Score
57
+71%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
83.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.1 min
+44%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
74.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
9.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
19.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
20.7%
−32.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
Female
45.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
Foreign born
6.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.5%
−43.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Sterling to nearby cities

STERLING VS
Fort Morgan
Income$64,158+79%
Home value$313,400+218%
Population11,841−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Evans
Income$75,563+111%
Home value$351,000+257%
Population22,500+72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Greeley
Income$69,881+95%
Home value$402,500+309%
Population115,073+782%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STERLING VS
Gering
Income$75,093+109%
Home value$186,500+90%
Population8,535−35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sterling, Colorado?

Sterling, Colorado has about 14,777 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sterling, Colorado?

The typical household in Sterling, Colorado earns about $35,864 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sterling, Colorado expensive?

In Sterling, Colorado, the median home is worth about $98,400, and the typical rent is about $595 a month.

How educated are people in Sterling, Colorado?

About 14.5% of adults age 25 and over in Sterling, Colorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sterling, Colorado?

About 18.0% of people in Sterling, Colorado live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sterling, Colorado grown since 1990?

Yes, Sterling, Colorado has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,411 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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